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Not content with snapping up one Strictly Come Dancing judge, Simon Cowell has got his sights set on poaching another favourite from the panel in Italian firecracker Bruno Tonioli for his new series, The Greatest Dancer.

The X Factor supremo famously pinched Alesha Dixon from his BBC rival back in 2012 to join him on Britain’s Got Talent, where she’s served as a judge for the past six years.

Bruno fuelled rumours he’s be jumping ship when he was spotted at Simon’s annual Syco Summer Party at London’s V&A museum; also attended by Cheryl, who was full of smiles in a dramatic orange dress just days after confirming her split from Liam Payne.

Should Bruno reunite with his former Strictly co-star Alesha, they’re thought to joined by Cheryl and Strictly dancer, Oti Mabuse.

‘Bruno was very much the talk of the bash,’ a source told The Sun. ‘Simon has always thought the world of Bruno and thinks he’d be perfect on The Greatest Dancer.

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‘Simon has never been afraid to take on the BBC and Strictly, but it is a different story now his show is on the same channel. That said, he still wants the best people for his series and he thinks Bruno is one of them.’

Simon also joked: ‘I do actually have some breaking news. Bruno is leaving Strictly. He won’t be a judge but he will be a contestant.’

When Bruno stressed that he wasn’t going anywhere, Simon insisted: ‘But you’ve got to leave at some point.’

While we’re still waiting for an official announcement for The Greatest Dancer, we do know Simon’s other baby, The X Factor, is going to be undergoing a huge shake-up following the departure of Louis Walsh.

The latest name appearing to be firmly attached to the flailing singing contest is One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, with Simon supposedly ‘hoping a deal will be done in the next few days’.